Just back from 14 nights on Odyssey

Just back from the 14 day Grecian Glories and Adriatic cruise on Oyssey. Here are some of my opinions, focusing on some of the things that most concern fellow Forumites.

For a start, this was a combined cruise of two 7-day cruises, which is something I would never book again. Having built up friendships with a number of fellow passengers. most of them left at the end of the first week (only about 75 of the original passengers stayed on for the 2nd week). Plus, there were a number of staff changes, and the stage cast changed completely. So it very much seemed like 2 cruises rather than one.

Fellow Passengers

My heart sank when a fellow cruiser informed us at check-in that there would be a party of 70 on board in the first week. However, this turned out not to be too much of a problem as they didn't seem to know one another and came from a number of countries. They also had a number of events and trips specifically for them, which meant often less people round the ship. There were 2 teenage children on board - again not really a problem.

In the 2nd week, there were a large number of parties of 4-6, who tend not to socialise much with fellow passengers and can be quite loud and animated when together. In particular there was a group of 6 who were evidently well known to all the staff - to the point where we were warned in the Restaurant that they would be sitting near us if we wanted to move table (which we did). They had previously ruined our (and everyone else's) meal in Restaurant 2, and I witnessed them monopolising the Observatory Bar one night, intimidating the lounge pianist by surrounding her and putting their drinks on the piano. Shouldn't Seabourn have been doing something about them?

In the 2nd week there were a further 3 children on board - mostly not too much of an issue but I think any more would have been too much. Not sure how much the new Youth Programme is going to impact on this.

Smoking

We're non-smokers and this wasn't too much of an issue. We never witnessed anyone smoking in the Observatory Bar after 8 pm, and no-one smoking on verandas near us.

Entertainment

I was surprised that the cast shows were the same that we had seen on Quest this time last year. Evidently shows last 3 years. The cast in the first week were very talented and sociable. In the 2nd week the cast were too busy rehearsing to socialise much, and at this stage the singers were much weaker, lacking any real charisma.

Dining

Restaurant 2 still doesn't work - and is evidently going to be replaced early next year.

We also found the Restaurant not great for couples any more. We enjoyed our meals there much more on hosted tables. A large number of the couples we spoke to preferred to eat in the Colonnade or Patio Grill, to the point that on at least 3 nights, of which we're aware, passengers were being turned away from the Colonnade as it was full. Meanwhile the Restaurant was never more then 2/3 full.

The new dress code comes in in a few weeks so that might be why there was little enforcement of it during our cruise. Each week was 3 nights Resort Casual (first, last and Rock the Boat nights), 3 Elegantly Casual and 1 Formal Optional. Saw a number of light jackets with no tie at FO night, and some men with no jackets at EC. ACD seemed to think the dress code is what is turning people off the Restaurant, but I think there needs to be somewhere for couples to have a nice quiet dinner and not feel out of place.

Miscellaneous

We had 2 Rock The Boat parties, although no cast singing at the second. Quite oddly these evenings consist of an "Officers On Deck Epicurean event" at which officers serve up canapes, appetisers and drinks poolside, after which you leave deck to have dinner, and then return for the party with a Desserts buffet!

We had 2 marina days - although the 2nd week got oversubscribed and some people were disappointed.

Ports of call in the first week were far, far better than in the second week.

Conclusion

So, after the first week, I would have had no hesitation in booking a further Seabourn cruise. But, after the second, although we have put down a deposit, it is no longer as certain that we would. We shall wait and see what Seabourn has in store over the coming months.

Thanks for your review,you have now learnt that seven day back to back cruises are a disaster for a number of reasons.

Book something a little longer next time if you can.

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Would you please expound a bit on how you found The Restaurant no longer so great for couples"? I don't much like the sound of that. :O

Would you please expound a bit on how you found The Restaurant no longer so great for couples"? I don't much like the sound of that. :O

No need to worry,just stay away from seven day cruises.

There is a different feel and the staff do not get to know you well as it is so short a cruise.

You get on and start to get the feel for it then before you know it you're packing to go home again.

Guests and crew get along much better when the trip is ten days or more.

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No need to worry,just stay away from seven day cruises.

Too late! ;)

No need to worry,just stay away from seven day cruises.

There is a different feel and the staff do not get to know you well as it is so short a cruise.

 

 

We did a 3 x 10 day back to back cruise in the Med on Sojourn this year; while enjoyable it was nowhere near as memorable as our 2 x 18 day the year before, or the 2 x 14 day the previous year.

I won't book any cruises shorter than 14 days in future.

I think that Seabourn is making a big mistake with 7 day segments, the bean counters at head office are too busy chasing the almighty dollar and forgetting about Seabourn's excellent reputation.

Also seven day cruises must put a colossal strain on the staff.

We have done a total of three 'back-to-back' cruises on Seabourn only one of which was a seven day back to back. But I do agree that the crowd on the second leg never seems to be as much fun as those on the first leg and especially if there are not many cruisers staying on.

We do not find the staff getting to know us to be much of a problem. We have been on Seabourn enough that we already know a lot of the crew.

 

Dining

 

Restaurant 2 still doesn't work - and is evidently going to be replaced early next year.

 

We also found the Restaurant not great for couples any more. We enjoyed our meals there much more on hosted tables. A large number of the couples we spoke to preferred to eat in the Colonnade or Patio Grill, to the point that on at least 3 nights, of which we're aware, passengers were being turned away from the Colonnade as it was full. Meanwhile the Restaurant was never more then 2/3 full.

Hello all,

We are new to Seabourn and looking forward to our first cruise January.

Can I ask what is wrong with Restaurant 2?

We were looking forward to the food of Seabourn, we have read so much about, just getting a little concerned, when we see a few posts like this saying it doesn't work.

Or is it only on the 7 day cruise it doesn't work?

Thanks in advance :)

Hello all,

We are new to Seabourn and looking forward to our first cruise January.

Can I ask what is wrong with Restaurant 2?

We were looking forward to the food of Seabourn, we have read so much about, just getting a little concerned, when we see a few posts like this saying it doesn't work.

 

Or is it only on the 7 day cruise it doesn't work?

 

Thanks in advance :)

There are four restaurants on the larger Seabourn ships. The food is excellent in all of them but each one has a different style. Restaurant 2 is supposed to be a 'tasting menu' type of restaurant. Not my thing to be honest; I am more of a meat and potatoes person. But it does work for others.

Whether the other three restaurants get crowded or not will depend on a number of variables. For example, if there is nice weather, the outdoor venues - Patio and Colonnade terrace - will be busy. Miserable weather and more people will want to eat indoors. The menu will make a difference. Indian market at the Colonnade is a must for me. The 'vibe' of the cruise will make a difference. Younger and more casual will probably mean that the Patio and Colonnade are busier.

One thing you can count on. The food is always good. And, if something is not to your liking, send it back and get something different.

Well, I hope our 7-day cruise (first leg of a longer cruise) is the good leg! :)

We'll be on honeymoon and this worked perfectly with visits in Europe both before and after. Plus, my fiancée has not cruised previously and we figured no more than 7-days prudent. I'd hate to think that the service would be that variable between legs, though I can understand how service could improve markedly as time passes and the learning of tastes and favorites become apparent.

Just enjoy.You are on SB how bad can it get.It is wise to start with a 7 day not knowing what she will like.

:)

Just enjoy.You are on SB how bad can it get.It is wise to start with a 7 day not knowing what she will like.

:)

Thank you, I'm certain we'll thoroughly enjoy, we're excited. Might just wind up on another cruise prior!! :)

I think it must have been the number of parties of 4-6 and more couples using the other restaurants that meant there were fewer couples in the Restaurant and that you were always surrounded by parties of 4 or more, most of whom were travelling together rather than 2 couples who had met on board.

As for Restaurant 2, it is a small thin claustrophobic room with tables for 2 alongside tables for 6. Everyone has the same tasting menu and everyone gets exactly the same spiel from the maître d and waiters, which can get a bit tiring. However, the food is really good if you like tasting menus

I forgot to mention that even in the first week of the cruise we were identified by name by several members of the staff.

Well, I hope our 7-day cruise (first leg of a longer cruise) is the good leg! :)

We'll be on honeymoon and this worked perfectly with visits in Europe both before and after. Plus, my fiancée has not cruised previously and we figured no more than 7-days prudent. I'd hate to think that the service would be that variable between legs, though I can understand how service could improve markedly as time passes and the learning of tastes and favorites become apparent.

We have done the back to backs and never found the service or people different because of it. Naturally.....if friendships are made on one leg..and those people leave...that is life isn't it. Don't be concerned......just pack....and enjoy your trip with a positive outlook. I think your outlook can make a difference. As for the service...If you give the wonderful young staff attention and show interest in them....I assure you.....they will remember you.

SKP

While I concur re: 7 days cruises, your enjoyment of Seabourn goes back in time. Based on our August cruise, I feel that Seabourn may be drifting down a bit. We, too, enjoyed our earlier cruises, no matter what their length.

Our first SB cruise was 7 days and we loved every moment of it. The second was 19 and we loved it even more. Our next will be 29, and is two cruises packaged together, so a BTB. we plan that it will be our best so far [emoji4]

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Our first SB cruise was 7 days and we loved every moment of it. The second was 19 and we loved it even more. Our next will be 29, and is two cruises packaged together, so a BTB. we plan that it will be our best so far [emoji4]

 

 

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We agree with CraftyEC.

Our first SB cruise was a Xmas & New Year 14 days in the Carib many years ago.

In Jan 2011 we did the full Sojourn World Cruise...111 days!!

In Jan 2012 we did Quest from Fort Lauderdale via Brazil & Cape Town to finish in Singapore...63 days..the wrong way around the world!!

In Jan 2013 we went from Fort Lauderdale through the Panama canal across the Pacific to Australia finishing in Hong Kong...61 days!!

After a year off from cruising we are now booked in January on the Sojourn from Cape Town to Singapore...70 days!!

So you can see...we love SB & cruising & looking forward to meeting up past cruise friends :)

You can see Helen's blog & my slide shows here: www.blondeonaboat.com

Enjoy!!

Vance

There is a difference between 7 day and longer cruises. We sometimes have to take a 7 day holiday because of work commitments. The passengers on 7 day cruises seem to be a bit more excitable/hyped up, which changeds the atmosphere onboard, and it's definitely not so easy to make friends. Absolutely prefer the more leisurely feel of 10 day + cruises. But if the choice is no holiday or a 7 day cruise, I'll still take the cruise every time.

Also, the officers and crew really do have their work cut out on 7 day cruises because of the turnarounds. I recommend anyone who wants to know more about the captain's typical turnaround day to read Captain Dexter's blog. He journalled a turnaround on Odyssey a few weeks ago. He has a long, busy day - and so do the crew.

My wife and I recently returned from a 10 day Quest cruise. We found the Restaurant a very attractive venue for couples. We had the same two person table every night next to a window served by the same waiters. It was delightful and very private with little noise. We also thought that the food in the Restaurant was superior to the other dining locations.

We also found the Restaurant not great for couples any more. We enjoyed our meals there much more on hosted tables. A large number of the couples we spoke to preferred to eat in the Colonnade or Patio Grill, to the point that on at least 3 nights, of which we're aware, passengers were being turned away from the Colonnade as it was full. Meanwhile the Restaurant was never more then 2/3 full.

Was the Restaurant open for lunch on either of your two segments?

On our 10 day cruise from Boston to Montreal the Restaurant was open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The ship was almost full (it never felt crowded) which may explain why it was open so often. We had breakfast and lunch at the Restaurant on several occasions and it was excellent. They primarily used the tables on either side of the room. Without our asking, they gave us the same two person table we used for dinner.

We are not dedicated to any particular cruise line and use Chrystal, Silverseas, Seabourn and Regent based upon the itinerary we want. Our impression is that the Seabourn Restaurant is a little quieter than these other three cruise lines.

We have done the back to backs and never found the service or people different because of it. Naturally.....if friendships are made on one leg..and those people leave...that is life isn't it. Don't be concerned......just pack....and enjoy your trip with a positive outlook. I think your outlook can make a difference. As for the service...If you give the wonderful young staff attention and show interest in them....I assure you.....they will remember you.

LaPaloma - I agree with everything you've said. My Mom and I have been cruising with Seabourn for the past 10 years and have done a number of 7-day back to back cruises. Each cruise, whether 7 days or 21 or more days is always going to be different. On top of the "Seabourn experience" we have found that getting to know the staff can make your cruise so much more enjoyable. I think some passengers forget just how hard the staff works in order to make our time on Seabourn the wonderful experience that it is.

LaPaloma - I agree with everything you've said. My Mom and I have been cruising with Seabourn for the past 10 years and have done a number of 7-day back to back cruises. Each cruise, whether 7 days or 21 or more days is always going to be different. On top of the "Seabourn experience" we have found that getting to know the staff can make your cruise so much more enjoyable. I think some passengers forget just how hard the staff works in order to make our time on Seabourn the wonderful experience that it is.

Hi Jane, and my best to you wonderful Mom. Lola